The Railways

The coming of the railways was the start of massive change for the Queens Road area of Walthamstow. Before 1850, most building was centred around Walthamstow Village, with some large and elegant houses on the major roads – Hoe Street, Marsh Street, and the Lea Bridge Road. Markhouse Road had rather more ‘poorer’ houses.

In the period between 1870 and 1880 massive numbers of houses were built, and the area changed for ever from a rural village with plum orchards and watercress beds to an area of houses, streets and shops. New houses were built for lower middle class and working class families.

The relative closeness to London, and the cheapness of the trains (if you were prepared to get up early) attracted less well paid City workers – clerks and shopworkers- and people from all over the country came, as has happened through history, to try and find a better life in London.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website. If you would like to change your preferences you may do so by following the instructions